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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Josh Halliday in Liverpool

Ukraine minister ‘confused’ by Eurovision refusal to let Zelenskiy speak

Presenters and performers clapping on stage during the Eurovision final in Liverpool
Eurovision had a strong anti-war message this year. Photograph: Andy Von Pip/Zuma Press Wire/Shutterstock

Ukraine’s culture minister has said he was “surprised” and “confused” that Volodymyr Zelenskiy was barred from making a televised speech during the Eurovision grand final.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the owner of Eurovision, said last week that allowing the Ukrainian president to address the contest, which is watched around the world, risked jeopardising its “non-political nature”.

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